Fuel burner



E. L. WOOLLEY June 2, 1942.

FUEL BURNER led Deo. 19, 1939 3 Sheets-Sheet l Il: la'

,lay

Jun 2, 11942. E. L. woQLLEY l l 2,284,708

FUEL BURNER Filed Dec. 19, 1959 s sheets-Sheet 2 Ergly i I i@/'z'jizzze'yr June 2, 1942. E. l.. wooLLEY 2,284,708

'FUEL BURNER Filed Dec. 19, 1959 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Patented June 2, 1.942

QE'FIJCB *i 'FUEL BURNER. Ernest LfWQolley, Providencc,1. Y 9Alipiiaaonnecmber 19,1939, seria Naeoaem A niclaims. (ci. 11o-422) Thisinvention relates to improvements in fuel` burners `I? the typeillustrated anddescribed in! separately or in conjunction. i

Another objectofjthe invention isfto provide an apparatus of the typeindicated adapted to supply adequate primary and secondary air to theburnerI for insuring complete combustion of the liquid fuel and/oramixed -charge ofpow` dered fuel and air.-

`Another object of the invention is to provide an apparatus` of the typeindicated in which the primary airfor the'liquid` fuel maybe shut offsimultaneously with the admission of themixed charge of powdered fueland airuto the burner.

Another object Vof the invention is to provide an apparatus of the typindicated having means for controlling4 the supply of primary andsecondary'air independently of the means for shut' ting 01T the supplyof primary air. Y

Still another' object of the invention is to provide an Aapparatus ofthetype indicatedV which is efficient `in operation and` of simple, compactand rugged ,construction to-adapt i'tfor use over long periods ofytimewithout repair or replacement'of parts,v Y t Further objects ofltheinvention are set forth in `the following specification whichdescribesa preferred form of construction of the apparatus, by wayoff'example,V asiillustrated byv theaccornpanyins; drawings. ln: thedrawings:

conduit for supplying` powderedfuel `open and the intake for theprimaryair closed.

"The present apparatus comprises` generally a casing .constituting an`air lregister and 'having two or more concentric` annular throats forsupplying primary and secondary air to promote combustion of thefuelwith dampers in each throat for controlling the amount of airsupplied therethrough. A supply pipeY for liquid fuelextendslongitudinally of the casing .in the inner throat and has aburner-tip at itsend.` The casing has separate apertures at itsperiphery: for supply-ing primary air for the liquid'fuel andA a mixedcharge of powdered fuel and air. Valve: means are also provided forsimultaneously closing the apertures. for supplying primary airjandopening .the aperture for supplying a i mixed charge of` powderedfueland air, `for vice versa.

Fig. 1` is ,ai vertical sectional `View `througha. f

conventional type, of f boiler front wall showing the `presentimprovedburner applied to the opening therein; 1

Fig. 2 is an.` end viewof the burner illustrated in Fig.1 `1 showingtheliquid fuel supply pipe at the Vaxis of `the burner and a conduit at theperiphery Referring `to Fig.` 1 of the'drawings, 2 designates the`masonry forward .'wallV of a Vboiler furnace which is coveredfby.v anouter shell or front .plate.3. `The present improvedburner ispreferably-embodied in a Vunitary casing adapted to be attached to lthefront [of the boiler furnace and serving` as the means for supportingfuel supply means and also the controls thereof. As herein `shown theburner-casing comprises an annular sleeve 5 of slightly tapered formadapted to fit closely within thewopening 6 in the front of the lfurnaceand formed with a radial flange 'I atits outer end. The annular sleeveormember 5 is'provided with perforated ears or lugs 8` on itslperipherywhich receive studs 9 projecting from the furnace front plate -3 withnuts screwed onto their ends to secure the sleeve fixedly in position.The sleeve 5 forms theouter boundary wall ofthe larger throat of the airregister and cooperating therewith is `an inner.. concentric annulus I0?which forms a secondv internal throat. The inner annulussIO isprovidedw'ith a` radial flange I Ii at its outer-end which projectsradially beyond the flange 1. Thev flange I I may be continuous andintegral with the annulus HLbut'as herein illustrated it is `made in twoparts `spaced from each other to provide an annular slot I2`therebetween, see Fig. 4.` The space between the flange 'I on theannulus 5 and the flange II of the annulus Ill serves as the inletopening or intake I3 for 'the- `secondary air ,which is admitted throughthe.

closure-plate I4 and the flange II of the annulus I to support thelatter and hold it in its proper relation to the sleeve 5. Thus, thespace between the flange II on the annulus I9 and the closureplate I4serves as the inlet opening or intake I9 for the primary air admittedthrough the inner throat.

A series of arcuate vanes I6 are pivoted on the bolts I between theflange 1 on the sleeve 5 and the flange II of the annulus I0 to adaptthem to be rocked or swung to vary the area of the intake I3 to controlthe volume of the secondary air current introduced through the outerthroat or to entirely close the intake. A series of similar vanes I1 arepivoted on the bolts I5 between the flange II on the annulus I0 and theclosureplate I4 to adapt them to be rocked for varying the area of theintake I9 to control the volume of primary air introduced through theinner throat. y

The construction and arrangement of the vanes I6 and I1 are illustratedand described in detail in my prior patent referred to above. Suffice itto state herein that the series of vanes I6 and I1 are operated insequence by means of a ring rotatable in an annular `recess 2| in theclosure-plate I4 and having a series of pins 22 extending longitudinallyof the casing through the arcuate slot I2 in the radial flange II of theannulus I0. Each of the vanes I6 and I1 has a depending flange 23 with aslot 24 through which the pins 22 extend, see Figs. 4 and 5. Althoughthe slots 24 may have other forms, as herein illustrated they comprisean arcuate portion with a right-angular continuation at one end with theright-angular portions reversed in position on the respective vanes I6and I1 as shown in detail in my prior patent referred to above. Thus,upon rotation of the ring 29 the series of pins 22 first act in theradial slots 24 in the vanes I1 to rock them to the open positionillustrated in Figs. 4 and 5 to open the primary air intake I9 to theinner throat. Continued rotation of ring 20 causes the second setofvanes I6 to be rocked to open position while the pins 22 slide in thearcuate portion of the slots 24 to hold the vanes I1 open. The ring 20has a series ofgear-teeth on its periphery `in mesh with the teeth of agear 21 shown in Fig. 2. The gear 21 is keyed to one end of a shaft 28having a crank-handle 29 at its opposite end for rotating the gear ineither direction to turn the ring 20 to operate the vanes I6 and I1.

In accordance with the present invention a casing section 32 ofgenerally circular contour and U-shaped in cross-section cooperates withthe flange Il of the annulus I0 and closure-plate I4 adjacent theirouter peripheries to provide an annular chamber 33 surrounding theintake I9 for the inner throat. As illustrated in Fig. l, the casingsection 32 is connected to the end closure-plate I4 by means of a ring34 Welded or otherwise fastened to its inner annular Wall and having anangular flange bolted to the plate I4 by the studs I5. The casingsection 32 is further connected to the ange II of the annulus Ill bymeans of a. series of arcuately-shaped anglebrackets 35, see Fig. 4,Welded or otherwise suitably fastened thereto. Preferably, the casingsection 32 is of gradually tapering width from top to bottom for apurpose as will appear later. The casing section 32 has a series ofspaced apertures or openings 36 in its periphery, see Figs. 1 and 3, andan annular rim or bead 31 at one Side of the openings which cooperateswith the outer rim of the flange II of the annulus I0 to provide anannular guideway 38 encircling the openings. The casing section 32 isprovided at the top with a conduit 39 flanged for bolting a fuel feedpipe or chute 40 thereto as indicated in Fig. l.

The supply pipe 42 for liquid fuel is mounted on the end closure-plateI4 and extends axially of the annulus I0. As herein illustrated thesupply pipe 42 is supported in a tube 44 by means of a spider 43 havinga hub which closely lits the pipe and arms which engage the interior ofthe tube. The tube 44, in turn, is slidably mounted in a sleeve 45 onthe closure-plate I4 to adapt it for adjustment longitudinally of theannulus I6. The tube 44 also serves as an additional air-pipesurrounding the fuel-pipe 42 for supplying a small amount of air to theburner. A burner-tip 46 for the liquid fuel is carried at the inner endof the supply pipe 42 and a diffusion plate 41 is supported at the endof the tube 44 surrounding the burner-tip. The outer end of the supplypipe 42 is clamped to a fitting 48 connected by a pipe 49 to a source ofliquid fuel supply in the usual manner and the fuel supplied to theburner is controlled by a manually-operable valve 50.

In addition to the liquid fuel, solid fuel may be supplied to the burnerthrough the conduit 39 and intake opening I9 by way of the inner throat.The solid fuel is introduced as a mixed charge comprising powdered coalsuspended in an air blast from a blower, not herein shown. Thus, theprimary air for the combustion of the solid fuel is supplied therewithso that when powdered coal is used the openings 36 in the casing section32 for supplying primary air to th-e inner throat are closed.

Valve-mechanism is provided for simultaneously closing the air intakeopenings 36 and opening the conduit 39 in the casing 32, and vice versa.As illustrated herein the valve-mechanism comprises a ring-closure 54surrounding the primary air intake openings 36 and a butterflyvalve 55in the conduit 39. 'I'he ring-closure 54 fits closely in the annularguideway 38 on the casing-section 32 and has a series of openings 56 ofthe same shape and spaced from each other the same distance as theopenings 36 in the casing-section. Thus, when the ring-closure 54 ismoved to the position illustrated in Fig. 4 the openings 56 thereinaline with the openings 36 in the casing section 32 to admit air to theintake I9. When the ring-closure 54 is moved to the position illustratedin Fig. 5 the openings 56 and 36 are oifset to lclose the intake I9.

The butterfly-valve 55 in the conduit 39 is of rectangular shape toconform to the interior con tour of the conduit, being carried' by astem 59 extending through bearing apertures in the sides of the conduit,see Figs. 1 and 3. vAs illustrated most clearly in Fig. 1, the stem 59for the valve 55 extends rearwardly from the conduit 39 above thering-closure 54 with its end journaled in a bearing 60 supported on theflange II of the inner annulus I0. A gear 6I xed to the rearwardextension of the stem 59 meshes with the teeth 53 of a rack 51 fastenedto the ring-closure 54 to operate the latter and the stem may be turnedby a crank-handle 62 mounted on its outer end. The ring-closure 54 andbutterfly-valve 55 are so arranged with respect to each other that whenone is in open position the other is in closed position and the gear 6Iand rack 51 on the ringclosure are so proportioned that aquarter turnfromthe` position shown inFig. -4 to'that"V shown in Fig. `5,orviceversa. One embodiment of the invention 4having; nowv `beendescribed in detail; the mode'fofoperationfoftheburner is explained asfollows:v

i The present "improvedf burnerA isgadapted to burnlioluid` fuels suchas-oil, orcoznminuted fuels suchas powdered coal, either separately'orin conjunction. When a cold boiler is to lbezstarte'd` theft ring l 2Uisl rotated `-by means "of the lcrankf handle]` 29" to lc'auseithelpins*A22 extending from the ring Lto engagethe right-angular portionsvof theslotsV 24A inthe `depending flanges -23 of the operi'u `theintaltefthroat I9; The f ring-closure 54 isalso Yoperated bymeans :ofthe crank-handle t'i-IeftoV the position shown in Fig. 4 to uncover theopening'sii inthe casingsection -32 to'admit primary air throughtheintake `ISI "toJ the inner throat: i f l AThe control-valve Edfortheliquid fuel Supply pipe 42 thencrackedt permitV a relativelysmallicharge of oil to be ejected frcmytheburnertipjilIGifwhichisignited by `a. torch or the like.

The vanes Iii-'and 'I1 are then adjusted by Amaf this -beingiofadvantageto avoid overheating the` burner-tip.I Thus,` the" iiame and products ofcombustion produce a* relatively'low heat rin the furnace-toslowlywarmup the boiler and the amount-ofV fuel -andrprimary and-secondary air`are gradually increased *from time-to time` until the boilerA isthoroughly heated.

The fuel `supply maythenV be changed to powdered fuel. Toithis end thecrank-handle 62 is operated to rotate the stemv through a quarter turnwhich operates to simultaneously rock the butteriiy-valve 55 to opentheconduit 39` and turn the ring-closure 54 to close the openings 35 in thecasingsection 32Kas illustrated in Fig. 5.

controlled by the`Y` vanes I5. In lthe preferred methodgor operation,however, afterlthe Amixed i charge of powdered fuel has `been ignitedlthe supply `of liquid `fuelis shut off by,manipulating.they

valve n50. :The apparatus `thereafter `operates asafpowdered'fuelfburnerw "ff l l Bysliding `the-tube `44'-initssupporting-sleeve Jon# the end-closure fI4j`` the area of theannular! 'opening between the! diffusion plate '4l `and tlieend'o'fltheinner -annulus I5 maybe varied to' 'control thefpattern of Vtheviiame;-Likewise, the supply of secondary air may be' controlledbyfmanipulating the crank-handle `-29to rock the vanesf IB? and? therebylva'ryf the areaI of f the airintake-i315. It `will beL'inder'stoodfthat for overload conditionswthe oilburner mayv be broughtin to complement the burning of the powdered fuel.

Itvwillwbeobservedfrom the foregoing specication Vthat Athe presentinvention provides a burner of *novela construction adapted Lto "burnbot-h liquid andpowdered fuels 'feitherseparately or in conjunction; Itwill 'also beobserved that the improved apparatusprovides means-forcontrolling the amountof primaryandsecondaryuair supplied when liquidfuel isfused and independentmeans,lforf'simultaneouslyshutting offA theprimary A-air supply andadmittinga mixedcharge Yso of powderedfuel andair `to'convert the device toapowderedfuel-burner: Y

While 'afpreferred embodiment of the 'inven- Ation is `herein described'and illustrated, it will casing, ra fburnenfor' liquid fuel inthecasing,

means for `supplying airfto the casing; a 'conduit for supplying amixedcharge [of powdered fuel and air tothe casing; and' YIn`eansforsimultaneously cutting off the rst mentioned air supply and opening theconduit for supplying a mixed l charge of powdered fuel and air, or viceversa.

As stated/above, rotation of the crank-handle 62 rocks thebutterfly-valve 55 and rotates the gear 6I on the rearward extension ofthe stem 59 which meshes with the teeth 58 on the rack- -51 to operatethe ring-closure 54.` Thus, the sup-Y ply of primary .air to the throatI9 is shut off and a mixed charge of powdered fuel and air is introducedinto the casingsection 32. The mixed charge of fuel and air passesVthrough the intake I9 and inner throat and discharges into the furnacethrough the opening between the end of the inner annulus Ill and outerperiphery of the diffusion plate 4'I. As the mixed fuel charge strikesthe flame it isignited, suihcient primary air being supplied Vwith thepowdered fuel to in- Vsure combustion. Dueto the tortuous path' of themixed charge of powdered fuel and air through the pivoted vanes I'I ahigh degree of turbulence is produced therein vwhichinsures practicallycomplete combustion. Furthermore, the tapered form or funnel-shape oftheinvolute casing-sec- 2. In an apparatus of the type indicated, anannular casing, a `burner for liquid fuel at the axis ofthe casing,means at the periphery of the casing for supplying air tosupportcombustion of theliquid fuel, a `conduit at'the periphery of` the casingfor supplying ay mixed charge of powdered fuel and air, and valve-meansforsimultaneously cutting off the air supply and opening the conduitforsupplying a mixed charge of powdered fuel 'and air.

. 3. In an apparatus of the type indicated, a Y casing having twoseparate inlets, one of said 4. In -a-device of the type indicated an annular casing having a series of openings at its periphery for supplyingair to the interior thereof a ring-closure rotatable on the casing forclosing the series of openings, a conduitKV atfthe peripheryvof thecasing for supplying a mixed charge of powdered fuel and air, a valvefor opening and closing the conduit, and

manually-operable means forV simultaneouslyV rotating the ring-closureto closing position on the casing and opening the valve in the conduit.5. In an apparatus of the type indicated, an

annularcasing having a ,series of openings at its periphery forsupplying air to the interior thereof, a` ring closure rotatable on thecasing to open or close the series of yopenings in the latterand havinggear-teeth thereon, a conduit at the periphery of the casing forsupplying a mixed charge of fuel and air to thecasing,a valve in; saidconduit, and a gear meshing with the teeth on the ring and connected tothe valve in the conduit, said gear being operable to open the valve inthe conduit andv turn the ring-closure to close the series of openingsin the casing, or vice versa. i

6v. A burner for liquid and powdered fuels comprisinga casing havingseparate throats with intake openings for'supplying prlmaryvandsecondary air to support combustion, means for supplying liquid fuel toone of the throats, a conduit for supplying a mixed charge of powderedfuel and air to saidthroat, and means for simultaneously Aclosing theintake opening in vsaid cas ingvfor supplying primary air and openingthe conduit for supplyinga mixed fuel charge to said throaty and viceversa. I

7. A burner for liquid and powdered fuels comprising a casing having itsinterior divided into a plurality-of concentric annular throats withseparate intake openings at its peripheryV -for each throat, dampers ineach thro-at for controlling the intake openings, means for supplyingliquid kfuel to the inner throat, a chamber surrounding the intakeopening to lsaid vinner throat and having -openings for supplying air, aconduit for supplying a mixed chargeof powdered fuel and airto saidinner throat, and

means vfor vcontrolling the air and mixed fuelr supplying liquid fuel toone of the throats, an annular chamber surrounding said last-namedthroat and having cooperatingY inlets for adr mitting air and supplyingaI mixed charge of powdered fuel and air, and vvalve-meansforsimultaneously closing one of the cooperating inletsl and opening theother inlet. f

9. A burner for, liquid and powdered fuels comprising a casing havingits interior divided into a plurality of concentric annular throats withseparateintakeopenings for each throat, a

comprisingY a casing having separate throats for supplying primary andsecondary air to the casing, vdampers in each throat for controlling theamount of air supplied to the casing, means for supplying liquid f uelto one of the throats, an

annular casing section surrounding said last-V named throat and havingseparate inlets for admitting air and supplying a mixed charge of, pow,-dered fuel and air to the throat, a damper for closing the inlet in thecasing section for supplying air, a conduit for supplying the mixedcharge of powdered fuel and air to the other inlet in the casingsection, a valve in said conduit, and means for simultaneously operatingthe damper for the inlet supplyingA air and the valve in the conduitwhereby to openlone and'close the other.

ERNEST L'. WO'OLLEY.v

